Teaching Notes: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Primary Text

• Matthew 16:13–17

“But who do you say that I am?” — Jesus

I. The Central Question of Life

A. Jesus Shifts from Public Opinion to Personal Conviction

• Matthew 16:13 – “Who do men say that I am?”
• Matthew 16:15 – “But who do YOU say that I am?”
• Faith cannot be inherited, borrowed, or avoided.

Key Point

• Every person must personally answer Jesus.
• Silence is still an answer

Reflection Questions

• Whose opinion has shaped your view of Jesus?
• Have you personally answered this question?

II. Peter’s Confession: The Right Answer

A. Jesus Is the Christ

• Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
• “Christ” = Messiah, God’s anointed Savior.

B. Revelation, Not Reasoning

• Matthew 16:17 – Revealed by the Father, not human wisdom.
• Saving faith comes through divine revelation.

Supporting Scriptures

• John 1:41
• 1 Timothy 2:5
• Acts 4:12

Key Point

• Jesus is not one option among many—He is the only Savior.

III. Who Jesus Reveals Himself to Be

A. God in the Flesh

• John 1:1, 14
• Colossians 2:9
• John 14:9

B. The Only Way to God

John 14:6

• John 10:9
• Romans 5:1

Key Point

• Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God’s only provision for salvation.

IV. The Urgency of the Question

A. Eternity Is Real

• Hebrews 9:27 – Death and judgment
• Matthew 25:46 – Eternal life or eternal punishment

B. Life Is Short

• James 4:14
• Psalm 90:12

Key Point

• Delayed decision is still a decision.

Reflection Question

• If today were your last day, are you certain where you would spend eternity?

V. The Gamble of Rejecting Christ

A. What Are You Risking?

• Mark 8:36 – Gaining the world, losing the soul
• Luke 12:20 – Foolish to store earthly riches only

B. False Foundations

• Good works (Isaiah 64:6)
• Morality without Christ
• Religion without relationship

Key Point

• Eternity is too high a price to gamble on uncertainty.

Key Point

• God’s patience is mercy, not permission.

A. Confession vs. Lifestyle

• Luke 6:46 – Saying “Lord” without obedience
• Matthew 7:21

B. True Discipleship

• Luke 9:23 – Deny self, take up cross, follow
• James 2:17 – Faith without works is dead

Reflection Questions

• Does your life reflect who you say Jesus is?
• Is Jesus Savior only—or Lord?

A. God’s Love and Invitation

John 3:16

• Romans 5:8

B. How to Respond

• Romans 10:9–10
• Ephesians 2:8–9